Apparatus for clamping and discharging workpieces

ABSTRACT

In a workpiece clamping and discharging device for a frame, a work-engaging member is journaled for rotation about a vertical axis adjacent the workpiece. As the work-engaging member is turned, an inclined surface thereon which is spaced from the axis of rotation slidably contacts the workpiece to push the workpiece upwardly and outwardly. Further turning of the work-engaging member causes an abutment at the upper portion of the inclined surface to engage the workpiece thereby laterally urging the workpiece across the frame so as to clamp or discharge the workpiece.

United States Patent 1191 Parris et a1.

[ APPARATUS FOR CLAMPING AND DISCHARGING WORKPIECES [75] Inventors: JohnL. Parris, Knoxville; Herman J. Oldham, Oak Ridge, both of Tenn.

[73] Assignee: The Carborundum Niagara Falls, NY.

221 Filed: Jan. 12,1971

21 Appl. No.: 114,913

Company,

[52] US. Cl. ..269/14, 51/216 ND [51] Int. Cl. ..B24b 41/06, B23g 3/00[58] Field 01' Search.....5l/215 SF, 216 ND, DIG. 15;

[56] References Cited I UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,168,183 2/1965 Copper..269/14 X 2,422,430 6/1947 Manderscheld ..5 1/215 SF 1 Jan. 23, 19733,291,321 12/1966 Hamilton ....269/24 X 3,424,319 1/1969 Hohlfelder r..269/24 X 2,048,948 7/1936 Post1ewaite.... .....269/32l H 2,525,30510/1950 Lombard... ..51/2l5 SF 2,754,640 7/1956 Fuller ..51/215 SFPrimary Examiner-Othe1l M. Simpson Atlorney-David E. Dougherty andRobert E. Walter [57] ABSTRACT 1n a workpiece clamping and dischargingdevice for a frame, a work-engaging member is journaled for rotationabout a vertical axis adjacent the workpiece. As the work-engagingmember is turned, an inclined surface thereon which is spaced from theaxis of rotation slidably contacts the workpiece to push the workpieceupwardly and outwardly. Further turning of the workengaging membercauses an abutment at the upper portion of the inclined surface toengage the workpiece thereby laterally urging the workpiece across theframe so as to clamp or discharge the workpiece.

7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENIEDJAH 23 m5 3.712.605

SHEET 2 OF 2 INVENTOR.

JOHN PARRIS BY HERMAN J. OLDHAM fiwawwa APPARATUS FOR CLAMPING ANDDISCHARGING WORKPIECES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This inventionrelates to a new and improved mechanism for discharging and clamping aworkpiece.

In devices for manipulating workpieces such as heavy billets, the billetis generally supported on an elongated table or frame. The'generalpractice is to provide the table with separate mechanisms for table orthey interfere with other processing and manipulating operations of abillet.

I-Ieretofore, clamping and billet discharging devices have noteffectively served-to both clamp and discharge a workpiece from a tableor frame with a simple motion of a work-engaging member.

SUMMARY OF THE. INVENTION I Manipulating Apparatus and Turning SpoolTherefor,

U.S. Ser. No. 114,931, by JohnL. Parris filed on the same day as thepresent application, the billet turning device comprises a plurality .ofturning spools spaced lengthwise along the frame. Each spool issupported for rotation about 'a'n'axis transverse to the frame. Asthespools are rotated together the billet is turned about its longitudinalaxis. The billet clamping and discharging device of the presentinventioncomprises a work-engaging memberpositioned between the spools.Actuation of the work-engaging member either clamps the billet against aflange at one end of the spool or discharges the billet from the table.

Thepreferred embodiment of the present invention provides an improvedapparatus for clamping and discharging workpieces which is'compact,strong in construction, rugged, durable and simple in its operation. Thebillet or workpieceis clamped or discharged with the simple movement ofone or more work-engaging members.

These and other advantages of the present invention are readily apparentfrom reading the .following descriptionof the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The drawings which illustrate apreferred embodiment of the present invention are as follows: I FIG. 1is a side elevational view of the billetmanipulating apparatus;

FIG. 2 is top elevational view of the billet turning apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the discharging and clamping apparatus;and

FIG. 4 is a partial front elevational view of the billet manipulatingapparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION As illustrated in FIG. I, a billet manipulator,generally indicated at 11 is supported for movement by wheels 13. Thispermits positioning the billet or workpiece 15 in different locationsfor various operations such as loading, grinding, inspecting, andunloading. A conventional loading apparatus can be utilized so that abillet falls lengthwise onto the billet manipulator 11. Manyarrangements of grinding machines and billet manipulators 11 are knownin the prior art so that no further explanation of a grinding operationis believed necessary. A conveyor or platform adjacent the billetmanipulator 11 can be used to receive a discharged billet.

Although the billet manipulator 11 as illustrated in thedrawingsincludes a plurality of wheels 13 mounted on the lower portion of afixture or frame 19, it should be understood that the frame 19 can beany suitable supporting means which can rest directly on the floor orground.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality oftuming spools 21 are longitudinally spaced above the frame 19. Eachspool 21 is supported for rotation about an axis transverse ,to theframe 19. One of the axles 23 is firmly connected to each end ofthespools 21. The axles 23 are mounted for rotation on a pair of uprightcolumns 25 which are mounted on eitherside of the frame 19.

The spools 21 are provided with ameans for rotating the spools togetherso that they effectively turn a workpiece or billet l5. Asillustrated'inFIG. 2, each spool is provided with one of the axles 23 which extendsthrough an opening 27 in the upright columns 25 on one side of the frame19. Exterior to the columns 25 a pair of gears or drive wheels 29 aremounted rigidly on the axles 23. The gears 29 are interconnected by apluralityof endless belts of chains 31 one of which is connected toadrive motor 33.

The detailsof the billet-turning device and the shape of the peripheralsurfaces of the spools are more fully described in copending applicationentitled Device for Turning workpieces by John L. Parris, filed on thesame day as the present application.

The clamping and discharging device of the present invention'includes aplurality of work-engaging members35, 37 and 39, which are positionedalong the frame for urging the workpiece or billet l5 laterally acrossthe frame 19. Each work-engaging member 35, 37 and'39 is mounted forturning about a fixed axis. Although a plurality of work-engagingmembers 35, 37 and39 are employed so that the billet 15 is effectivelyengaged at portions along its entire length, the construction of members37 and 39, there operation and associated parts are similar. Therefore,it is believed that a description of one member 37 and associate partswill sufi'rce.

Work-engaging member 37 is rigidly secured to a vertical shaft 41 forrotation about the fixed axis, shaft 41 which is substantiallyperpendicular to top 43 is vertically aligned and is journaled forrotation in bearings mounted on the top 43 of frame 19. The shaft 41 ispreferably positioned in about the widthwise center of the frame 19 sothat the work-engaging member 37 describes a turning radius from oneside to the other side of the frame 19. In this position, thework-engaging member 37 is mounted within the confines of the frame 19.The shaft 41 extends below the top 43 of the frame 19 and is connectedto a crank member 45.

The turning movement of work-engaging member 37 is accomplished by ahydraulic power device generally indicated at 47 and pivotably connectedat one end to crank member 45 and at the other end to the frame 19underneath the top 43. The power device 47 shown is in the form of ahydraulic cylinder 51 and piston rod 49 with the piston rod 49 thereofconnected atone end to one of the pivot points mentioned above and thecylinder 51 connected to the other of the pivot points mentioned. Thepower device 47 may be lengthened or shortened to effect the turningmovements of the workengaging members 35,37 and 39.

The pivotal connection of the power device 47 to the crank member 45 ismade by connecting one end of the fluid power device 47 between a pairof vertically spaced arms 53 of the crank member 45. The power device 47is secured between the arms 53 by a pin 55 passing through aligned holesin the arms and the end of the power device 47 which is positionedbetween the arms 53.

The work-engaging member 37 includes an inclined surface 57 which isradially spaced from the axis of rotation so as to engage the workpieceas the workengaging member 37 is turned into the billet 15. The inclinedsurface 57 ascends from a lower portion in close proximity to theworkpiece 15 or center of the frame 19 to a higher portion located nearthe one side of the frame 19. As the member 37 is turned the lowerportion of the inclined surface 57 first engages the workpiece 15. Afurther turning causes the workpiece 15 to be pushed upwardly andoutwardly.

At the top portion of the inclined surface 57, an abutment 59 projectsupwardly from the inclined surface 57 to engage the workpiece l5 andurge it laterally across the frame 19. The abutment 59 has a verticalsurface and is in the form of a shaft 61 which is constrained along withthe inclined surface 57 to rotate about a vertical axis through a pointnear the lower extremity of the work-engaging member 37.

As illustrated in FIG. 3. the work-engaging member 37 comprises atriangular shaped base 63 having a flat top surface 65 and bottomsurface. Sides 69 and 71 extend radially outwardly from that portion ofthe base 63 which is mounted to the shaft 41 as hereinbefore described.An arcuate wall 75 which is preferably a substantially constant radialdistance from the axis of rotation of member 37, extends between theradial sides 69 and 71. The arcuate wall 75 includes a top inclinedsurface 57 which extends upwardly from the junction of the wall 75 andradial side 69 to the shaft 61. The shaft 61 extends vertically from thejunction of radial side 71 and the wall 75. The shaft 61 projects abovethe high end of the wall 75 so as to present a vertical clamping surfaceto the billet 15.

A second inclined wall 77 extends from the shaft 61 along the radialside 71 so as to give added structural strength to the work-engagingmember 37. Wall 77 is inclined from a high side running along shaft 61to the portion of the base mounted to shaft 41.

The work-engaging member 37 or 39 may be cast as one piece or maycomprise a plurality of parts welded or otherwise secured rigidlytogether.

In another embodiment of the present invention,

work-engaging member 35 is adapted to clamp and discharge smallworkpieces or billets 15 such as might only extend across the twoturning spools 21. An elongated base member 79 of the work-engagingmember 35 is mounted at one end of the frame 19 for turning about avertical axis in a manner similar to the mounting of work-engagingmembers 37 and 39. The workengaging member 35 includes a verticallyextending wall 81 having horizontally extending mounting plate 83 whichis journaled for rotation on a shaft 85 at the other end of base member79.

The wall 81 includes a pair of projecting members 85 and 87 at eitherend thereof. Each projecting member 86 and 87 has an inclined surface89. The inclined surface 89 projects outwardly at the bottom thereof andjoins the wall 81 at an upper portion spaced from the top of the wall 81to form an abutment 91. Thus, a pair of inclined surfaces 89, and anabutment 91 at the upper portion of the wall 81 are presented to aworkpiece 15 for clamping and discharging.

As illustrated in the drawings, the inclined surfaces 57 and 89 arepreferably at about a 45 degree angle, especially when rectangular orsquare billets are being turned. This angle of inclination results in asupporting surface for a bottom side of the billet 15 when a comer isbeing ground.

A plurality of guide members 93 project outwardly from one side of theframe 19. The guide members 93 have top guide surfaces which areinclined downwardly from an elevation corresponding to the peripheralsurface of a spool 21 at the end thereof. These guide members 93 serveto guide the billet away from the billet manipulator 11.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention as illustrated inthe drawings, the clamping and discharging apparatus 17 of the presentinvention is adapted to work in cooperation with the spools 21. At oneend of the spools 21 along one side of the frame 19, the peripheralsurface of the spools 21, include a plurality of flanges 95 projectingoutwardly to form stops.

At one position a rectangular billet 15 is supported on a horizontalperipheral surface of the spool 21 so that a flat side of the billet 15is presented to a grinding machine. In another position, the billet 15is rotated 45 degrees from the first position by rotating the spooldegrees so that a corner of the billet 15 is exposed to a grindingmachine. At each of these aforementioned positions, the flanges 95 actas stops adjacent the billet 15. The billet 15 is clamped between theflanges or stops 95 and the abutments 59 and 91 of the work-engagingmembers 35, 37 and 39.

In intennediate positions of the spool, as illustrated in FIG. 4 flangesdo not stop the lateral movement of the billet 15, the actuation of theclamping and discharging device serves to push the billet upwardly andoff the edge of the peripheral surface of the spool 21. Although twoclamping positions are shown in the drawings, it is within the scope ofthe present invention that the flanges of the spools 21 extend radiallyoutwardly from other positions to permit clamping the billet at variouspositions.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed and illustrated, it is to be recognized that modificationsthereof may be made without departing from the broad spirit and scope ofthe present invention as described in the appended claims.

What is claimed is: v

l A workpiece clamping and discharging device for a fixture comprising awork-engaging means joumaled on the fixture for rotation about avertically fixed axis, means for turning said work-engaging means aboutthe fixed axis, said work-engaging means having an inclined surfacespaced from the axis and an abutment at the upper portion of theinclined surface for urging the workpiece laterally across the fixturein a horizontal direction as the work-engaging means is rotated.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 comprising means for stopping saidworkpiece to permit clamping thereof. I

3. An apparatus according toclaim 2 wherein said work-engaging memberincludes ashaft and said turning means includes a crank connectingsaidshaft and a fluid pressure means connected to said crank.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said work-engaging meansincludes a base, an arcuate wall having an inclined top surface securedto one portion of the base, a shaft connected to the another portion ofthe base and journaled on the fixture for rotation about the fixed axis.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the abutment comprises asecond shaft extending upwardly from the base along the high end of thearcuate wall.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said work-engaging memberincludes another wall connected at one end to the second shaft andextending along the base.

7. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said work-engaging meansincludes a base, a shaft connected to one end of the base and journaledon the fixture for rotation about the fixed axis, a second shaft mountedon the other end of said base, a vertically extending wall mounted onsaid second shaft for rotation about a second fixed axis said wallincludes a pair of projections having inclined surfaces.

1. A workpiece clamping and discharging device for a fixture comprising a work-engaging means journaled on the fixture for rotation about a vertically fixed axis, means for turning said work-engaging means about the fixed axis, said work-engaging means having an inclined surface spaced from the axis and an abutment at the upper portion of the inclined surface for urging the workpiece laterally across the fixture in a horizontal direction as the work-engaging means is rotated.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 comprising means for stopping said workpiece to permit clamping thereof.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said work-engaging member includes a shaft and said turning means includes a crank connecting said shaft and a fluid pressure means connected to said crank.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said work-engaging means includes a base, an arcuate wall having an inclined top surface secured to one portion of the base, a shaft connected to the another portion of the base and journaled on the fixture for rotation about the fixed axis.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the abutment comprises a second shaft extending upwardly from the base along the high end of the arcuate wall.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said work-engaging member inCludes another wall connected at one end to the second shaft and extending along the base.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said work-engaging means includes a base, a shaft connected to one end of the base and journaled on the fixture for rotation about the fixed axis, a second shaft mounted on the other end of said base, a vertically extending wall mounted on said second shaft for rotation about a second fixed axis said wall includes a pair of projections having inclined surfaces. 